SmartDraw vs FireScene

Learn why users prefer SmartDraw over FireScene

Looking for fire pre-plan software that goes beyond a single Windows desktop? While both FireScene and SmartDraw can be used to create fire pre-plans, SmartDraw is the better choice for departments that need cloud-based access, real-time collaboration, and the flexibility to create more than just pre-plans. If you need a modern, web-based solution that works across your department and connects with the tools you already use, SmartDraw is the better fit.

Features SmartDraw FireScene 8 Why It Matters
Import Google Maps/GIS Yes Yes Both tools allow you to import satellite images from Google Maps or GIS. This gives crews geographic context before they arrive on scene.
NFPA Standard Symbols Yes Yes Both apps offer NFPA standard symbols.
Import Existing Floor Plans Yes Limited SmartDraw allows users to import PDF or image. FireScene only allows users to import an image.
Build a Floor Plan from Scratch Yes Yes Both tools allow users to build floor plans.
Export to RMS Compatible Format Yes Yes Both apps export to RMS-compatible format.
iPad Support Yes No Only SmartDraw allows users to use mobile devices like iPads and Andriod tablets.
Editable Templates Yes Limited SmartDraw has more templates to help you get started.
Third-Party Storage OneDrive, SharePoint, Google Drive, Dropbox, Box None Only SmartDraw allows users to connect to third-party storage.
Layers Yes Limited SmartDraw has unlimited layers and more powerful settings for every detail while FireScene is limited to three pre-designated layers.
Shape Data Yes No SmartDraw allows users to add data to shapes to store critical information.
Real-Time Co-Editing Yes No SmartDraw's real-time co-editing makes collaborating on pre-plans easy.
Web-Based Access Yes No SmartDraw works in any modern browser. FireScene runs only on Windows.
Export Options PDF, SVG, JPG, PNG, Office, Visio PowerPoint, PDF, XML SmartDraw offers more export options.
Version History Yes No Only SmartDraw allows users to restore older versions of a file.
Shareable Link Yes No SmartDraw lets you share projects with anyone, even if they aren't SmartDraw users.
Other Diagram Types Yes Limited SmartDraw offers 70+ different diagram types, including evacuation plans, ICS org charts, station floor plans, training flowcharts, and many more. Trancite offers 8 different programs that users have to purchase individually to access more diagram types.
Import Photos Yes Yes Both tools let you import photos to add context to pre-plans or document fire incidents for reports.
Custom Shapes Yes No SmartDraw allows users to create custom shapes and import custom shapes from Visio.
Overall Best For Fire departments that need a cloud-based, collaborative platform across pre-plans and everyday diagrams. Single-station departments with a Windows fleet that only need pre-plan sketching.

Why Users Prefer SmartDraw Over FireScene

SmartDraw Works Anywhere Your Team Works

SmartDraw is accessible through the web, meaning no matter where your team is, SmartDraw is there. All your files are stored in the cloud, making them easy to view, edit, and share whether you're in the field or at the office. FireScene is a program that has to be downloaded to your computer and is only available from the device it's installed on, making SmartDraw the more flexible option for teams that need access from anywhere.

SmartDraw works anywhere

SmartDraw Lets You Collaborate Across Departments and Agencies

Unlike FireScene, SmartDraw offers real-time-collaboration, allowing multiple people to work on a diagram at the same time. Files can also be shared with a link, allowing others to access them whether they have a SmartDraw subscription or not. FireScene is a program that has to be downloaded to your computer, while SmartDraw gives teams ready-to-use web access without requiring a custom setup.

Team collaborating on a fire pre-plan

Get a Broader Symbol Collection with SmartDraw

SmartDraw includes NFPA fire symbols, plus symbols and libraries for evacuation plans, hazmat, security, network diagrams, and more, all included in one subscription. FireScene's libraries are more limited to pre-incident and crash/crime scene diagramming, and do not extend beyond what's bundled with the specific Trancite program you've licensed.

Collection of NFPA industry standard symbols

SmartDraw Integrates with Your Current Workflow

SmartDraw integrates with Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, Slack, Confluence, SharePoint, OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, and box. this means your pre-plans can live where your department already stores its work. FireScene does not offer built-in integrations.

SmartDraw Lets You Add Data to Your Diagrams

With SmartDraw, every shape can hold additional information such as occupancy size, location, inspection dates, construction types, hazard information, or custom fields used by your department. FireScene only allows users to add labels to shapes.

Adding shape data to fire plan symbol

SmartDraw is a More Complete Tool

In addition to pre-plans, SmartDraw allows users to create floor plans, flowcharts, organization charts, mind maps, network diagrams, and many more. These tools are all available in one subscription. FireScene limits users to fire pre-plans unless they purchase and download another Trancite program.

Collection of business diagrams

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About SmartDraw vs FireScene

What is the main difference between SmartDraw and FireScene?

The biggest difference between SmartDraw and FireScene is SmartDraw will let you work in the field because it runs in any web browser. With SmartDraw, the same pre-plan can be accessed from a desktop at the station, a laptop in the chief's vehicle, or an iPad or tablet in the field. FireScene is a Windows desktop program that has to be installed on your computer. SmartDraw also goes beyond pre-plans letting departments create evacuation diagrams, incident reports, org charts, and more in the same subscription.

Is FireScene easier to use than SmartDraw?

FireScene feels outdated and much clunkier than SmartDraw. Its interface looks more like an older Windows program, and some of the tools can be confusing, especially features for things like roads, vehicles, and intersections, which aren't relevant when you're sketching a building pre-plan. FireScene's knowledge base is also limited with resources only covering a handful of features. SmartDraw is a much more modern, clean, and easy-to-use tool. It offers a far larger knowledge base, with tutorials, videos, and guides that make it easier for even less tech-savvy users to learn the software.

Does SmartDraw work on Mac?

Yes, SmartDraw works on Windows and Mac, unlike FireScene, which only offers a Windows program.

Does SmartDraw export to an RMS-compatible format?

Yes. SmartDraw exports to PDF, PNG, JPG, and SVG, which are the standard attachment formats accepted by every major fire RMS, including ImageTrend, ESO, and FirstDue. Pre-plans created in SmartDraw can be uploaded to your RMS the same way you'd attach any other document.

Can you use FireScene in the field?

FireScene is only available on Windows, limiting users to working solely on a computer. SmartDraw works on an iPad, an Andriod tablet, or a laptop with a browser, making it more suitable for fieldwork.

Can SmartDraw do more than just fire pre-plans?

SmartDraw can create fire pre-plans fire evacuation plans, fire scenes, fire incident reports, and many other diagrams. FireScene is limited to creating fire pre-plans.

Where are files stored with SmartDraw vs FireScene?

SmartDraw stores files in the cloud by default, but it can also connect with OneDrive, SharePoint, Google Drive, Dropbox, or Box. That means departments can keep pre-plans in the storage system they already use, while making them easier to share and work on as a team. FireScene foes not offer third-party cloud storage integrations and primarily stores files locally on the computer it is installed on, which gives SmartDraw

Which tool is better for multi-station departments?

SmartDraw has a clear advantage. Real-time collaboration, cloud-based access, shared folders, version history, and SSO support make it easer for every station to work from the same up-to-date information. FireScene is much more limited.

Is FireScene cheaper than SmartDraw?

FireScene's annual license costs $221 per year, while its perpetual license costs $432. SmartDraw, by comparison, offers an introductory price starting at $7.95 per month for a single-user license and $6.95 per user for teams, with flexible enterprise licensing available to help outfit entire departments. This makes SmartDraw the clear winner on price.

Professionals Choose SmartDraw

If you only need per-seat installs for individual users on their own workstations, FireScene may be enough. but if your department needs to access and update the same pre-plans in real time, handle incident reports, evacuation diagrams, and more, SmartDraw is the more powerful choice.